DE  FUNIAK 
SPRINGS 

and 

Walton  County 

FLORIDA 


Pamphlet  Collection 
Duke  University  Library 


pai^hla  CoUcctioB 

Duke  LibfSfjr 


DE  FUNIAK 
SPRINGS 


and 


W^alton  County 
Florida 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2016 


In  the  compilation  of  this  work  the  writer  has 
endeavored  to  present  to  the  public  a booklet 
that  will  answer  concisely,  accurately  and  prac- 
tically the  many  questions  and  inquiries  regard- 
ing this  part  of  Florida,  and  in  particular  the 
city  of  DeFuniak  Springs  and  Walton  County, 
by  giving  information  of  pertinent  interest  to  the 
discerning  minds  of  homeseeker,  tourist,  winter 
visitor,  invalid  or  capitalist;  in  fact,  all  those 
interested  in  a semi-tropical  country  and  city; 
given  without  discoloration  and  containing  no 
misleading  statements,  but  merely  a truthful 
cataloging  of  facts  as  they  exist.  An  investiga- 
tion along  this  line  is  gladly  courted,  and  if 
those  who  have  never  seen  this  incomparable 
country  will  have  been  given  any  enlightenment 
that  results  in  particular  interest  in  Walton 
County  and  DeFuniak  Springs,  then  this  little 
work  will  have  accomplished  what  will  ever 
prove  its  own  reward. 

Compiled  hy 

Chas.  F.  Turner, 

DeFuniak  Springs,  Fla. 

Examined  and  approved  hy 

The  Board  of  County  Commissioners, 
The  City  Council, 

The  Board  of  Trade, 

DeFuniak  Springs, 

Walton  County,  Florida. 


MAP  OF  WALTON  COUNTY 

Average  elevation  over  200  feet,  with  300  feet  at  DeFuniak 

Springs,  and  also  with  its  entire  southern  boundary  on 
the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  and  has  the  most  beauti- 
ful lakes,  rivers,  bays  and  bayous. 

Walton  County  occupies  that  section  of  West 
Florida  which  lies  between  the  Alabama  State 
boundary  on  the  north  and  the  Gulf  of  Mexico 
on  the  south,  a portion  of  which  forms  Choctaw- 
hatchee  Bay  with  its  several  extremely  pictur- 
esque and  beautiful  bayous.  The  western  boun- 
dary is  Santa  Rosa  County  and  the  Yellow 
River,  while  on  the  east  is  Holmes  County,  with 
the  interesting  and  beautiful  Choctawhatchee 
River,  which  is  navigable  for  smaller  craft  for 
almost  its  entire  length. 

The  general  topography  of  the  county  shows 
a high  ridge  running  through  practically  the 
geographical  center  east  and  west,  and  this  ridge, 
which  is  traversed  by  the  railroad,  is  shown  by 
the  United  States  survey  to  be  the  highest  point 
in  Florida.  DeFuniak  Springs,  the  county  seat, 
enjoys  the  distinction  of  being  the  highest  city 
in  the  whole  state. 

For  natural  scenic  beauty  this  land  of  the 
bayous  and  lakes  among  the  hills  and  highlands 
is  unrivaled,  and  one  needs  to  be  both  painter 
and  poet  to  give  an  adequate  description  of  this 
part  of  Florida.  Nature  was  surely  in  one  of 
her  happiest  moods  when  she  builded  here.  She 
showered  her  beauties  with  a lavish  hand  and 
did  her  best  to  beautify  both  land  and  water. 


4 


5 


•A  MAGIC  CIRCLE— ONE  MILE  IN  CIRCUMFERENCE 


A BUSINESS  BLOCK,  DE  FUNIAK  SPRINGS 


As  the  story  goes,  it  was  a bright  morning  in 
May,  1881,  when  a raUway^  surveying  party 
came  to  a tired  halt  ^ round  lake  in  the 

heart  of  the  virgin  forest.  The  entrancing 
beauty  of  the  spot  at  once  impressed  itself  upon 
all  who  beheld  it.  Here  in  the  depths  of  the 
piney  woods,  at  the  southern  spur  of  the  Blue 
Ridge  Mountains,  as  they  come  sweeping  down 
from  the  Virginias  and  Carolinas  in  a succession 
of  lowering  swells,  Nafui’e  rested  and  smiled. 

% 

After  days  of  weafied  tramping  through  semi- 
tropical  forests,  the  " late  W.  D.  Chipley,  who 
was  head  of  the  party,  as  he  gazed  up  at  the 
dark,  graceful  pines  waving  high  above  his  head, 
and  looked  into  the^’erystal  waters  of  the  lake, 
flashing  back  the  deep  azure  of  the  vaulted 
heavens,  as  they  lapped  the  white  sands  at  his 
feet,  exclaimed,  “H^e  a town  shall  be  built !” 
— and  little  wonder.  It  was  a veritable  garden 
of  the  gods ! 

A short  time  later  arrangements  were  made 
for  the  location  of  a station  for  the  Pensacola 
and  Atlantic  Railroad. 

This  was  DeFuniak’s  first  inspiration. 

DeFuniak  Springs  has  been  appropriately 
styled  “The  City  Beautiful,”  for  there  is  no 
other  place  in  the  world  where  Nature  has  been 
so  prodigal  with  her  gifts,  and  man  so  careful 
to  preserve  those  natural  advantages. 


6 


ON  THE  CIRCLE.  DE  FUNIAK  SPRINGS 

The  crystal  lake  in  the  heart  of  the  town^ 
surrounded  by  the  wooded  slope  of  Chautauqua 
Park  and  happy  in  the  close  companionship  of 
grotesque  oak  and  stately  pine,  reflects  in  its 
clear  surface  many  a beautiful  home  which 
crowns  the  crest  above. 

From  her  silver  waters  at  the  close  of  one 
of  those  typical  DeFuniak  days,  which  rival 
Italian  climes  in  their  clear  perfection,  a 
circling  panoramic  view  of  weirdly  haunting 
beauty  is  spread  before  the  admiring  eye. 

The  fading  landscape  is  ablaze  with  lights — 
red,  purple  and  gold — hurled  with  startling 
confusion  upon  the  great  blue  canvas  of  the 
sky,  while  the  vanquished  monarch  of  the  day 
darts  his  Parthian  arrows  at  the  gathering 
clouds  and  makes  the  calm  waters  of  the  lake 
glow  with  a burning  splendor. 

Then  the  lingering  shadows  lengthen  and 
stately  pines  and  picturesque  foliage  are  mir- 
rored in  the  clear  water  by  the  white  sandy 
shore.  The  impressive  voices  of  the  tranquil 
night  are  calling  from  out  the  silent  gloom. 
Then  one  by  one  the  flickering  lights  appear 
in  the  houses  about  the  magic  circle,  springing 
into  life  and  existence  like  dancing  fireflies, 
until  each  mansion  seems  a sparkling  jewel,  the 
whole  forming  a resplendent  necklace  with  the 
clustered  lights  of  the  great  Hotel  Walton  lying 
like  a huge  pendant  and  the  whole  reflected 
with  poetic  reality  in  the  circle  of  the  beautiful 
lake,  as  if  the  fairy  spirit  who  holds  charmed 
sway  over  this  enchanted  spot  would  rise  from 
out  the  placid  waters  and  wear  the  reflected 
jewels  upon  her  immortal  bosom. 


7 


AUDITORIUM  OF  FLORIDA  CHAUTAUQUA 
Seating  capacity,  near  4000 


Then  does  the  striking  similarity  of  the  scene^ 
witli  its  picturesque  setting,  still  waters,  soft 
Italian  sky,  balmy  air  and  reflected  lights,  re- 
call another  far-away  dream  beneath  another 
Southern  sky  and  you  realize  that  you  are  in- 
deed in  “A  Modern  Venice.” 

The  great  Winter  Chautauqua  of  the  entire 
Southland  is  located  in  this  beautiful  city.  In 
fact,  it  would  not  be  out  of  place  to  say  that 
the  beautiful  little  city  of  DeFuniak  is  located 
in  the  Chautauqua,  for  the  spirit  of  this  great 
institution,  with  its  abiding  influence  for  com- 
munity welfare  and  moral  uplift,  has  been  the 
one  molding  force  of  her  intelligent  citizenship. 
The  great  natural  beauty  of  the  lake,  a large 
spring,  one  mile  in  circumference,  about  which 
tlie  city  is  built,  appealed  to  the  founders  as 
tlie  site  for  the  great  winter  assembly  of  our 
land,  and  the  large  amphitheater  by  the  lake- 
side and  the  commodious  Hotel  Walton  over- 
looking Chautauqua  Park  were  the  first  build- 
ings erected.  With  this  Chautauqua  movement 
sprang  up  cottages,  banks  and  business  firms, 
winter  homes  and  prosperous  farms,  until  the 
growing  importance  of  the  locality  caused  it 
to  be  named  the  county  seat,  and  the  natural 
leader  of  Walton  County. 


8 


FRONT  VIEW  OF  AUDITORIUM 


The  first  session  of  the  Florida  Chautauqua 
was  held  here  in  January^  1885,  and  since  that 
year  an  annual  assembly  has  been  held  in  the 
Auditorium.  The  first  Chautauqua  was  of  three 
weeks’  duration.  During  that  time  it  was  esti- 
mated that  one  thousand  visitors  came  to 
DeFuniak  Springs. 

The  last  session,  or  the  Thirtieth  Annual 
Chautauqua,  held  in  February,  March  and  April 
of  191 4,  was  of  six  weeks’  duration,  and  during 
tliose  weeks  ten  thousand  visitors  came  to  this 
beautiful  city,  attracted  by  the  Chautauqua  and 
its  superb  program.  This  spells  growth,  enter- 
prise and  progress.  During  these  past  thirty 
years  the  Chautauqua  has  been  a great  success, 
and  therefore  DeFuniak  could  not  help  being 
also  a growing  city.  As  a successful  Pensacola 
merchant  tersely  put  it:  “The  Florida  Chau- 

tauqua has  always  been  a signboard,  with  its 
finger  ever  pointed  toward  DeFuniak.” 

In  point  of  time  this  institution  is  the  third 
oldest  in  the  United  States.  The  Chautauqua  at 
Lake  Chautauqua  was  founded  in  1874.  Ten 
years  later,  in  the  summer  of  1884,  the  Florida 
Chautauqua  was  inaugurated,  with  the  hearty  co- 
operation of  Bishop  John  H.  Vincent,  Hon. 
Lewis  Miller  and  others  interested  in  the  orig- 
inal movement,  and  of  the  many  daughters  of 
the  great  Mother  Chautauqua  it  is  one  of  the 
few  that  are  still  living.  The  success  of  this 
great  institution,  however,  has  been  due  entirely 
to  the  zeal  and  untiring  efforts  of  its  late  presi- 
dent, the  Hon.  Wallace  Bruce,  who  devoted 
years  of  his  life  to  the  maintaining  and  carrying 
on  of  this  venture. 


9 


CHAUTAUQUA  AUDITORIUM  AND  LAKE  DE  FUNIAK 


With  him  the  Florida  Chautauqua  was  truly 
a work  of  love.  It  is  to  him  that  DeFuniak 
owes  the  splendid  Auditorium,  erected  at  a cost 
of  twenty-five  thousand  dollars,  with  a seating 
capacity  of  thirty-six  hundred  people  and  a 
stage  and  equipment  which  will  rival  any  Chau- 
tauqua Auditorium  in  the  land. 

The  influence  of  this  institution  has  gone  far 
and  wide,  molding  the  character  of  the  people 
not  only  of  West  Florida  but  also  of  adjoining 
states.  The  list  of  great  men  who  have  ap- 
peared upon  the  platform  include  most  of  those 
who  have  been  foremost  in  influencing  the 
thoughts  of  our  people,  and  embrace  the  great 
men  of  the  religious  movements,  as  well  as  those 
prominent  in  the  political  arena,  from  Talmage 
and  Sam  Jones  of  the  past  decades  to  Bryan 
and  Hobson  of  the  present  Chautauqua  move- 
ment. 

Pages  and  pages  of  eulogistic  praise  could  be 
written  on  the  climate  of  this  part  of  Florida. 
Temperature  changes  are  confined  usually  to 
but  a few  degrees  at  a time,  and  at  no  time 
does  it  ever  get  so  hot  or  so  cold  as  to  be 
intolerable. 

Such  a thing  as  heat  prostration  is  absolutely 
unknown,  as  the  extremes  are  not  so  common 
here  and  it  is  easy  to  become  accustomed  to 
our  uniformly  warm  days.  In  contrast  to  north- 
ern countries  our  nights  are  always  cool.  At 
no  time  do  we  ever  experience  nights  too  warm 
for  comfort. 


10 


HOTEL  WALTON,  DE  FUNIAK  SPRINGS 


A little  comparison  with  temperatures  will 
show  figures  that  may  seem  unreasonable  to  those 
who  do  not  know,  but  a little  investigation  will 
verify  the  truth  of  these  following  figures.  The 
average  temperature  ranges  in  winter  from  58 
to  69  degrees  above  zero,  while  in  summer  it 
is  between  72  and  97,  with  an  occasional  jump 
to  the  hundred  mark,  but  not  often. 

The  nights  are  cool  in  summer  and  pleasant 
in  winter.  A man  can  work  here  in  his  shirt 
sleeves  on  an  average  of  about  twenty-five  days 
out  of  every  month. 

Nature  has  done  more  for  this  God-favored 
spot,  for  the  health  and  happiness  of  man,  than 
man  could  by  himself  with  all  the  combined 
moneys  of  the  world. 

As  a health  resort,  DeFuniak  Springs  has  no 
equal  in  the  South.  It  has  the  advantage  over 
the  southern  part  of  the  State  in  having  shorter 
summers.  Those  who  go  to  the  southern  part 
of  the  State  for  health  lose  what  they  have 
gained  in  the  winter  in  going  through  the  long, 
drastic  summers,  reducing  their  vitality  and 
energies  from  the  continued  and  excessive  heat. 

DeFuniak  Springs  has  the  great  advantage  of 
being  located  just  the  right  distance  from  the 
sea  or  salt  water,  and  300  feet  above  sea  level. 
Here  we  have  the  sea  breeze,  without  the  mois- 
ture, which  in  itself  is  a great  health  restorer. 
Nowhere  else  in  the  world  is  there  a more  ideal 
atmosphere,  pure  and  refreshing  at  all  times. 


11 


PINEY  WOODS  NEAR  DE  FUNIAK.  SPRINGS 


Next  to  climate  and  pure  air  is  pure  water, 
in  which  we  excel  in  having  an  abundance,  of 
almost  absolute  purity.  Even  the  lakes,  creeks 
and  branches  are  real  springs  of  the  purest  soft 
water.  We  have  no  stagnant  ponds,  large 
swamps  or  marshes,  hence  we  are  practically 
free  from  malaria  and  mosquitoes. 

The  State  Chemist  gives  this  analysis  of  our 
city  water  supply;  Total  solids  per  100,000 
parts,  three  parts,  containing  calcium  sulphate. 
No  organic  impurities;  an  exceedingly  pure 
water. 

Nowhere  do  invalids,  and  especially  children, 
who  suffer  from  the  many  diseases  they  are  heir 
to,  recover  so  rapidly  as  they  do  in  this  particu- 
lar section.  Those  coming  here  suffering  from 
nervous  prostration,  overwork,  or  from  any 
nervous  breakdown  almost  immediately  feel  the 
improvement  and  make  a rapid  recovery. 

The  beautiful  forests  of  tall  and  stately  pines 
delight  the  eye.  The  health-laden  breezes  from 
the  Gulf  of  Mexico  calm  the  tired  mind  and  cool 
the  fevered  brow.  The  pure  waters  are  the 
equal  of  any  German  or  American  spring  in 
absolutely  pure  water,  which  gives  tone  and 
strength  to  the  body. 

Here  on  the  very  top  of  Florida  is  the  great 
Panacea ! 


12 


YOUNG  MEN’S  DORMITORY,  PALMER  COLLEGE 

OUR  EDUCATIONAL  FACILITIES. 

A very  natural  question,  which  will  no  doubt 
enter  your  minds  now,  is,  “What  educational 
facilities  have  you  to  offer  in  this  great  land 
of  promise.^” 

We  have  two  public  schools,  a private  kinder- 
garten, a mammoth  county  High  School,  an  ex- 
clusive college  and  lastly,  but  not  least,  an 
Industrial  and  Agricultural  School — all  these  in 
the  county  seat,  DeFuniak  Springs. 

For  seventeen  years  the  State  of  Florida 
maintained  a Normal  College  at  DeFuniak 
Springs,  but  under  a reorganization  of  the  State 
colleges  a few  years  ago  this  institution  was 
absorbed  by  the  college  at  Tallahassee,  the  State 
capital,  and  by  the  other  State  school  at  Gaines- 
ville, Florida,  and  the  splendid  property  was 
offered  for  sale  by  the  State. 

Our  public-spirited  citizens,  believing  that  we 
still  needed  this  educational  institution  which 
had  for  so  long  rendered  such  valuable  service, 
bought  the  property  with  a view  of  establishing, 
as  was  finally  the  case,  a college  under  their 
own  exclusive  and  personal  control.  The  insti- 
tution has  been  incorporated  under  the  laws  of 
the  State  of  Florida  and  is  known  as  Palmer 
College,  named  after  Rev.  B.  M.  Palmer,  D.D., 
LL.D.,  of  New  Orleans. 

The  object  was  to  give  to  our  public  an  insti- 
tution of  learning  where  all  denominations  might 
send  their  children  to  be  educated  under  Chris- 
tian influence  but  without  interfering  with  any 
religious  principles. 


13 


THOMAS  INDUSTRIAL  INSTITUTE, 

De  Funiak  Springs,  Opens  September  30th 

DeFuniak  Springs  is  noted  as  a community 
of  Christian  culture  and  refinement.  All  leading 
denominations  are  represented,  and  students 
upon  entrance  are  required  to  register  their 
choice  and  to  attend  the  Sunday  School  and 
morning  service  of  that  church  regularly. 

Courses  are  given  in  Astronomy,  Bible  Study, 
Biology,  Botany,  Chemistry,  Economics,  Lan- 
guages, History,  Mathematics,  Philosophy,  Zo- 
ology, Science,  Civics,  Music,  Art,  Jewelry  De- 
signing, China  Decoration,  Elocution  and  Ex- 
pression, etc. 

The  Thomas  Industrial  Institute  for  Boys  and 
Girls,  located  at  DeFuniak  Springs,  is  a new 
institution  which  is  attracting  much  attention  in 
this  part  of  the  country.  It  has  one  of  the  best 
farms  in  West  Florida,  consisting  of  264  acres 
of  land,  an  extra  fine  dairy  plant  and  live  stock 
for  the  farm.  Agriculture  will  be  one  of  the 
leading  features  of  this  great  institution. 

This  school  fills  a long-felt  want.  All  over 
the  country  many  good  boys  and  girls  have 
been  deprived  of  an  education  because  they  could 
not  pay  the  price.  Now  there  is  a place  for 
all ; worthy  boys  and  girls  who  come  well  recom- 
mended can  arrive  without  a dollar  and  work 
their  way  through  school.  This  school  has  a 
great  future,  and  the  future  has  a great  school. 

DeFuniak  Springs  is  indeed  an  ideal  college 
town;  ideal  in  its  health  conditions,  its  location, 
its  moral  and  educational  influences.  It  is,  in 
short,  an  ideal  town  for  parents  wishing  to 
settle  down  where  they  can  enjoy  the  best  of 
health  that  life  affords  and  where  they  will  have 
facilities  for  sending  their  boys  and  girls  to 
school  with  the  assurance  that  their  interests 
will  be  furthered  in  every  possible  way. 


14 


GROWING  HAY  CROP,  NEAR  DE  FUNIAK  SPRINGS 

“HOW  DO  WE  LIVE  HERE?” 


Probably  the  very  next  question  to  enter  your 
mind  is  this^  “How  do  the  folks  live  down  there  ? 
What  is  the  principal  industry  there?” 

About  the  best  answer  we  can  think  of  is 
that  we  do  everything  here  that  you  can  do  any- 
w'here  else,  and  a few  things  besides ! 

Naturally,  the  principal  thing  in  cleared  sec- 
tions of  the  country  is  farming,  while  the  forests 
of  pine  tell  their  own  story  of  lumber,  turpentine, 
rosin,  etc. 

The  man,  particularly  the  farmer,  who  seeks 
a new  location,  naturally  asks  when  inquiring 
about  the  land;  “What  can  I grow  that  will 
assure  me  a living  and  something  to  spare? 
What  are  the  crops  that  the  section  I am  look- 
ing to  will  produce  with  the  most  certainty  of 
an  adequate  return  for  my  labor  and  invest- 
ment? If  I buy  a farm  in  that  section,  can 
I grow  crops  for  which  there  is  a market,  a 
certain  market,  and  which  I can  get  to  that 
market  without  paying  the  larger  part  of  it 
for  transportation  ?” 


15 


A FINE  TRUCK  FARM  NEAR  DE  FUNIAK  SPRINGS 

Walton  County’s  poorest  lands  produce  the  finest  sugar 
cane  syrup,  making  300  to  1000  gallons  per  acre, 
which  retails  here  at  60  cents  per  gallon. 

This  is  particularly  true  if  he  has  been  led 
to  investigate  the  conditions  in  South  and  East 
Florida,  where  such  glowing  stories  have  been 
told  of  the  yields  of  hundreds  of  dollars  from 
a single  acre,  but  which  he  has  found  to  be 
the  exception  rather  than  the  rule,  and  where 
he  has  found  the  ruins  of  many  wrecked  hopes 
in  the  shape  of  those  who  without  previous  ex- 
perience and  knowledge  have  undertaken  to 
grow  such  highly  specialized  crops  as  citrus 
fruits,  and  vegetables  for  the  early  markets. 

Many  of  these  crops  can  be  grown  in  Walton 
County,  and  some  of  the  hardest  are  being  tried 
with  considerable  success. 

The  main  standby  crops  that  are  good  one 
year  after  another  with  unvarying  success  are 
the  ones  to  which  our  most  successful  farmers 
are  strictly  adhering. 

At  the  head  of  this  list  really  comes  sugar 
cane  and  the  production  of  high  grade  syrup, 
because  our  lands  are  particularly  adapted  to 
this  crop.  The  higher  lands  grow  a cane  that 
yields  a syrup  of  particularly  fine  flavor  and 
color,  and  the  yield,  based  on  actual  examples, 
has  run  as  high  as  seven  hundred  and  fifty 
gallons  to  the  acre  for  ordinary  cane,  and  as 
high  as  nine  hundred  gallons  for  the  Japanese 
variety. 

This  syrup  in  the  open  market  is  worth  from 
fifty  to  eighty  cents  per  gallon.  Seventy  dollars 
will  plant,  cultivate  and  market  the  crop  on  an 
acre.  Now  figure  the  profit  for  yourself. 


16 


HAY  CROPS 

From  velvet  beans,  cowpeas  and  native  grasses. 


Cane,  too,  is  a never-failing  crop.  It  never 
has  failed  in  the  history  of  the  country.  The 
product  can  be  marketed  as  soon  as  it  is  ready, 
or  it  can  be  held  for  months  or  even  years  for 
better  prices,  if  so  desired.  The  freight  rate  to 
ship  is  low. 

Hay  crops,  sorghums,  millets,  kaffir  corns  and 
other  native  grasses  can  be  grown  here  at  a 
lower  cost  than  elsewhere.  The  only  reason 
why  there  is  not  more  of  it  grown  is  that  many 
of  our  oldest  resident  farmers  stick  to  the  old 
Southern  preference  for  cotton  growing. 

The  tobacco  industry  is  one  that  thrives  won- 
derfully in  this  latitude,  and  immense  quantities 
of  this  are  shipped  every  year  at  great  profit. 

The  farmers  through  this  section  easily  pro- 
duce the  following  yield  per  acre: 


Corn  20  to  100  bu. 

Cotton  ^ to  2 bales 

Florida  syrup  (from  sugar  cane)  .300  to  800  gal. 

Sweet  potatoes 100  to  400  bu. 

Irish  potatoes 100  to  200  bu. 

Onions  100  to  500  bu. 

Rice  30  to  50  bu. 

Oats  30  to  75  bu. 

Peanuts  30  to  75  bu. 

Chuffas  ,'iO  to  200  bu. 


17 


A NICE  FIG  TREE 

Walton  County  could  supply  the  nation  with  this  most 
delicious  fruit.  One  tree  yields  bushels  of  fruit. 

They  grow  easily  everywhere. 

Proportionately  as  large  yields  from  all  kinds 
of  peas,  beans,  sorghum,  kaffir  corn,  popcorn, 
millet,  barley,  rye,  oats,  vetch,  rape  and  many 
kinds  of  grasses,  cabbage,  cauliflower,  turnips, 
rutabaga,  cucumber,  squash,  pumpkin,  melons, 
cantaloupes,  tomatoes,  peppers,  radish,  egg- 
plants, beets,  pecans,  peaches,  figs,  grapes, 
pears,  plums,  berries,  oranges,  walnuts,  chest- 
nuts— in  fact,  almost  every  known  crop  or  plant, 
fruit  or  vegetable,  can  be  successfully  grown, 
making  two  to  four  crops  per  year  on  the  same 
land,  with  crops  growing  each  month  in  the 
year.  Here  is  a practical  rotation  for  twelve 
months : 

Nov.  1 to  Feb.  1 — Cabbage,  rutabaga,  turnips, 
oats,  barley  and  rye  for  pastures. 

Feb.  1 to  May  1 — Onions,  peas,  beans,  pota- 
toes, cabbage,  radish,  tomatoes,  melons,  cucum- 
bers, etc. 

May  1 to  Aug.  1 — Corn,  peas,  beans,  pota- 
toes, etc. 

Aug.  1 to  Nov.  1 — Peas,  beans,  cabbage,  pea- 
nuts, potatoes,  etc.,  as  well  as  peppers,  squash, 
cucumber,  radish,  tomatoes,  eggplants,  etc.,  in 
place  of  some  of  the  other  crops  mentioned,  and 
raise  all  the  hogs,  sheep,  cattle,  goats  and 
poultry  you  want. 

Back  of  all  prosperity  and  agriculture  lies 
live  stock.  Nowhere  in  the  United  States  (a 
broad  assertion,  but  capable  of  demonstration) 
are  there  better  opportunities  for  profitable  live 
stock  production,  whether  the  finished  product 
is  to  be  beef,  pork,  mutton,  poultry,  eggs  or 
dairy  products,  than  in  Walton  County. 


18 


A HERD  OF  JERSEY  COWS 

Come  to  Walton  County  to  raise  all  kinds  of 
live  stock  and  poultry. 


Last  year  one  farmer  on  the  high  sand  hills 
made  over  sixty  tons  of  Japanese  cane  per 
acre,  a feed  almost  as  rich  in  carbohydrates  as 
corn. 

Velvet  beans,  Chinese  beans,  in  fact,  any  of 
the  beans,  cowpeas  and  beggar  weed  will  furnish 
the  protein,  and  these  are  all  crops  indigenous 
to  the  soil  and  climate,  but  even  if  it  were  nec- 
essary to  use  such  concentrates  to  furnish  this, 
ninety  per  cent  of  the  fertilizing  value  goes 
back  on  the  land  and  makes  it  richer  for  suc- 
ceeding years. 

The  southern  part  of  the  State  does  not  fur- 
nish enough  dairy  products  for  itself  and  must 
buy  them  from  the  North.  This  gives  a nearby 
market. 

For  beef  production  we  do  not  have  to  feed 
against  the  cold  and  can  graze  cattle  on  proper 
crops  and  pasturage  twelve  months  out  of  the 
year,  and  we  do  not  need  to  worry  about  the 
rest  of  the  time. 

Hog  production  simply  needs  the  same  care 
that  is  required  in  the  States  of  the  Middle 
West,  and  the  best  light  hog  market  in  the 
United  States — New  Orleans — is  twelve  hours 
away  by  fast  freight. 

The  low  priced  land  is  here,  land  that  is  pro- 
ductive, which  laughs  with  harvest  when  intelli- 
gently tilled.  The  markets  are  available  and 
nowhere  are  the  agricultural  possibilities  greater 
than  in  Walton  County. 


19 


WALTON  COUNTY  LEADS  IN  THE  PRODUCTION 
OF  WOOL 

We  have  thousands  of  sheep,  cattle  and  hogs  that  live  in  the 
woods  the  year  'round  without  feed  or  shelter. 


All  feed  stuffs  ean  be  grown  here  as  cheaply 
as  in  any  other  place  in  the  United  States,  and 
possibly  in  greater  variety.  Our  wild  lands  now 
supply  pasturage  the  year  round  for  thousands 
of  cattle,  sheep  and  hogs,  without  feed  or 
shelter. 


No  man  can  make  a better  investment  than 
by  buying  land  anywhere  in  Walton  County 
NOW  while  prices  are  low.  One  good  invest- 
ment may  mean  more  to  you  than  a lifetime  of 
labor  at  an  average  salary.  It  is  doubtful  if 
one  will  ever  live  to  be  offered  an  opportunity 
to  make  an  investment  that  will  in  any  wise 
surpass  this  one.  When  you  put  your  money 
in  GOOD  REAL  ESTATE  you  know  it  is 
SAFE.  Banks  may  fail,  corporations  go  into 
bankruptcy,  but  real  estate  is  as  safe  and  sound 
as  the  Rock  of  Gibraltar.  How  about  the  mining 
stock  many  of  you  have  purchased.^  Don’t  you 
wish  you  had  it  in  this  land  now?  Think  what 
it  would  mean  to  you.  Ten  acres  and  upward 
of  this  land  means  an  absolute  and  independent 
living  and  plenty  of  money  in  the  bank  if  you 
will  move  on  it,  plant  and  cultivate  it  intelli- 
gently. You  have  twelve  months  in  the  year, 
and  no  place  in  the  world  offers  a greater  variety 
of  crops  and  plants,  together  with  live  stock  and 
poultry. 


20 


A SATSUMA  ORANGE  GROVE,  DE  FUNIAK  SPRINGS 


When  you  buy  land  anywhere  in  Walton 
County,  Florida,  all  element  of  risk  is  elim- 
inated. All  wideawake  men,  even  if  they  are 
worth  millions  of  dollars,  are  large  owners  of 
farm  land.  They  figure  that  if  all  their  stocks, 
bonds,  chattels  and  collaterals  should  suddenly 
disappear,  they  know  they  still  have  their  farm 
lands  to  fall  back  on.  It  is  a better  thing  to 
leave  to  your  family  after  death  than  insurance, 
as  insurance  money  is  frequently  squandered,  or 
poorly  invested. 

Even  if  you  do  not  wish  to  move  onto  this 
land  immediately,  its  value  will  grow  faster  than 
money  deposited  in  any  bank,  or  invested  in 
any  other  safe  and  sound  security.  Plant  your 
holdings  in  grapefruit,  oranges,  pecans,  peaches, 
figs  or  grapes,  in  fact,  in  any  of  the  several 
fruits  that  flourish  in  Walton  County,  and  in 
a few  years  from  now  you  will  have  a valuable 
property,  with  a net  yearly  income  or  profit  that 
will  surprise  you. 

Now  that  the  Panama  Canal  is  completed, 
Pensacola  will  be  the  leading  seaport  of  the 
entire  Southland,  as  it  is  some  two  hundred 
miles  nearer  the  Canal  than  any  other  Gulf 
port  with  a suitable  harbor.  Now  that  the 
Canal  is  open  for  business,  real  estate  in  this 
part  of  Florida  will  multiply  in  value  many 
times.  To  the  shrewd,  far-sighted  business  man 
this  proximity  to  the  Panama  Canal  and  the 
many  other  natural  advantages  should  be  a great 
enough  incentive  to  warrant  him  in  purchasing 
a piece  of  this  land  while  it  is  being  offered 
at  its  present  extremely  low  figure. 


21 


CHOCTAWHATCHEE  RIVER 

NOT  ONLY  A LAND  OF  GREAT  PROM- 
ISE, BUT  A LAND  OF  PER- 
PETUAL RECREATION. 

The  country  surrounding  DeFuniak  Springs 
is  ideal  for  both  resident  and  tourist,  providing 
hunting  and  fishing  aplenty.  Partridges,  deer, 
wild  turkeys,  ducks,  foxes,  wildcats,  raccoons, 
’possums,  rabbits  and  squirrels  are  products  of 
the  day’s  shooting,  while  fish  abound  in  all  the 
lakes,  brooks,  streams  and  bayous  surrounding 
the  Springs. 

There  are  many  of  these  spots,  notably  among 
which  are  Lake  Cassidy,  the  Stanleys,  and 
the  famous  Morrison  Springs,  Choctawhatchee 
River,  Shoal  River  and  Yellow  River. 

While  the  tropical  type  of  vegetation  must  not 
be  expected,  there  is,  on  the  other  hand,  no 
attendant  malaria  and  debilitating  atmosphere, 
the  air  being  crisp  and  fine,  full  of  the  life- 
giving  ozone  of  the  pine  forests,  and  the  salt 
breezes  wafted  from  the  distant  Choctawhatchee 
Bay,  which  is  an  arm  of  the  Gulf  of  Mexico. 

For  miles  around  DeFuniak  Springs  stretch 
forests  of  long-leafed  pine. 


22 


LARGE  RED  CYPRESS  MILL 
Choctawhatchee  Bay 

LEGEND. 


The  center  of  population  of  the  United 
States  is  nearer  to  Pensacola  than  to  any  other 
Gulf  port.  Commerce  from  the  “producing” 
section  of  the  United  States,  passing  through 
the  Gulf  ports,  moves  toward  her  natural  trade 
countries.  Central  and  South  America,  Japan, 
China  and  Australia,  and  follows  the  most  eco- 
nomical route.  All  of  the  United  States  lying 
west  of  Trade  Line  “A”  is  nearer  to  Pensacola 
than  to  any  Atlantic  port.  All  of  the  United 
States  lying  east  of  Trade  Line  “B”  is  nearer 
to  Pensacola.  All  that  portion  lying  between 
Trade  Lines  “C”  and  “D”  is  nearer  to  Pensa- 
cola than  any  other  Gulf  port  except  Mobile 
and  New  Orleans. 

The  intercoastal  waterway,  under  construc- 
tion, will  give  Pensacola,  and  likewise  pro- 
ducers from  Walton  County,  competitive  water 
rates  to  the  Mississippi  Valley. 

The  coal  and  iron  fields  lying  closest  to  the 
natural  trade  countries  are  nearer  Pensacola 
than  to  any  other  port.  The  proposed  canal 
between  Pensacola  and  Mobile  Bay  will  give 
Pensacola  water  connection  with  the  Alabama 
coal  fields. 


23 


ONE  OF  OUR  MANY  CHURCHES 
De  Funiak  Springs. 


The  foregoing  information  has  been  given  here 
for  the  purpose  of  showing  an  important  ad- 
junct to  the  future  prosperity  of  Walton  County, 
due  to  its  being  within  a couple  of  hours’  ride 
of  Pensaeola,  that  most  important  harbor  of 
the  entire  South. 

We  feel  free  in  stating  that  we  can  offer  to 
the  prospective  investor  more  real,  genuine  nat- 
ural advantages  than  any  other  section  of 
Florida.  Also  we  are  pleased  to  court  inquiry 
and  investigation  on  any  and  all  of  the  state- 
ments or  assertions  that  we  have  made  in  this 
work  with  reference  to  this  land  of  bounty  and 
prosperity — Walton  County,  Florida. 

Investigate  now,  then  come  and  be  one  of  us 
as  soon  as  you  ean.  Our  eountry  needs  you — 
}mu  need  our  eountry.  ’Nuff  sed. 

The  DeFuniak  Springs  Board  of  Trade, 
while  of  comparatively  recent  origin,  is  in  reality 
one  of  the  eity’s  most  decisive  and  important 
steps  toward  real  civie  development.  Its  or- 
ganization came  as  the  result  of  conclusions 
reached  by  the  business  men  of  DeFuniak 
Springs  that  no  city  can  ever  be  properly  de- 
veloped until  the  various  interests  of  that  com- 
munity are  thoroughly  organized  and  pushed 
forward  by  united  and  uneeasing  effort. 

The  personnel  of  the  DeFuniak  Springs 
Board  of  Trade  is  composed  of  the  city’s  biggest 
men,  who  have  all  made  success  in  their  several 
lines  of  endeavor  and  who  have,  as  a result  of 
their  own  suecess,  a roek-flrm  faith  in  the  future 
of  their  city. 


24 


A COUNTRY  HOME  NEAR  DE  FUNIAK  SPRINGS 


The  officers  are: 

President — William  Rogers^  lumberman. 

Vice-President — R.  W.  Storrs^  newspaper 
man. 

Second  Vice-President — Charles  F.  Turner, 
real  estate  broker. 

Treasurer — D.  D.  McCaskill,  hardware  and 
furniture  dealer. 

Secretary — G.  K.  Armes,  civil  engineer. 

All  are  doing  their  full  part  in  the  important 
work  of  getting  things  properly  started  in  the 
right  direction  to  further  the  interests  of  the 
city  of  DeFuniak  Springs. 

One  of  the  very  first  resolutions  adopted  and 
carried  out  to  the  last  possible  letter  by  the 
DeFuniak  Springs  Board  of  Trade  was  to  in- 
vestigate each  and  every  real  estate  concern 
doing  business  within  the  confines  of  their  city, 
and  as  a result  the  land  shark  finds  a hot  time 
awaiting  him  when  he  endeavors  to  ply  his 
nefarious  business  in  this  town. 

The  DeFuniak  Springs  Board  of  Trade, 
which  might  well  be  called  “the  Walton  County 
Board  of  Trade,”  with  perhaps  a wider  range  of 
effort  and  prestige,  plans  to  co-operate  with 
other  commercial  organizations  in  a concerted 
effort  to  bring  West  Florida  to  the  front  where 
she  belongs,  by  placing  the  situation  with  its 
immense  possibilities  squarely,  honestly  and  in- 
telligently before  the  people. 

Communications  relative  to  the  land,  its  price, 
farming  possibilities,  location,  etc.,  will,  of 
course,  receive  immediate  attention  if  addressed 
to  the  Secretary  of  the  Board,  George  K.  Armes. 


25 


DEPOT  OF  L.  & N.  RAILROAD,  DE  FUNIAK  SPRINGS 

RESUME  OF  DEFUNIAK  SPRINGS. 
THE  CITY  BEAUTIFUL. 

The  town  is  located  on  the  Pensacola  and 
Atlantic  division  of  the  L.  & N.,  half  way  be- 
tween Pensacola  and  River  Junction.  There 
is  also  another  road  leading  out,  by  the  name 
of  the  DeFuniak  Springs  & Northern. 

The  principal  business  streets  are  Baldwin 
Avenue,  Seventh  Street  and  Eighth  Street. 
They  are  business  streets  of  which  any  city 
several  times  the  size  of  DeFuniak  Springs 
might  well  be  proud. 

The  lake  around  which  the  town  is  built  is 
one  mile  in  circumference,  with  no  visible  outlet, 
the  water  of  which  comes  from  some  hidden 
source  farther  north,  flowing  in  a subterranean 
river  to  the  sea. 

Around  the  lake  is  a cement  walk,  nearly  two 
miles  long.  The  principal  homes  of  the  city 
are  built  directly  on  this  street,  which  from  the 
fact  that  it  encircles  the  marvelously  beautiful 
little  Chautauqua  Lake,  is  known  as  “The 
Circle.” 

This  pretty  arrangement  goes  a long  way  to- 
ward placing  DeFuniak  Springs  in  a class  by 
itself ; one  which  makes  its  scenic  effect  equal  to 
many  places  in  Europe. 

Surrounding  the  lake  and  between  it  and  The 
Circle  is  situated  a park  of  shadowy  pines,  in 
which  are  small  pagodas  and  rustic  seats,  and 
the  stately  white  Amphitheater,  owned  by  the 
Chautauqua  Association,  reminding  one  of  an 
especially  fine  looking  and  remarkably  well 
kept  “Castle  by  the  Sea.” 

Lake  Chautauqua  may  be  seen  from  any  part 
of  the  town,  through  a fringe  of  pines,  dimpling 
in  the  sunlight;  sweet,  alluring  and  mysterious 
by  the  moon ; always  a welcome  rest  to  the  eye. 


£6 


LAKE  FRONT  RESIDENCE 


Naturally  sanitary,  the  situation  has  been 
augmented  by  the  waterworks  and  sewerage 
system,  a monument  to  the  energy  of  the  public- 
spirited  and  worthy  citizens  of  DeFuniak 
Springs. 

The  watch-word  is  “Clean  up  and  keep 
clean,”  and  the  city  certainly  shows  its  results. 
The  water  comes  from  an  artesian  well  600 
feet  deep,  and  is  the  finest  and  purest  to  he 
found  anywhere  in  the  country. 

There  are  two  banks  in  DeFuniak  Springs, 
the  First  National  Bank  and  the  Cawthon  State 
Bank,  both  strongly  financed  and  both  reflecting 
the  general  prosperity  of  the  city  and  its  sur- 
rounding territory. 

The  merchants  are  all  hustling,  live,  energetic 
people  with  an  inborn  courtesy  and  genuine 
sense  of  hospitality;  and,  with  a policy  of  strict- 
est honesty  and  quality  first,  are  ever  intent  on 
the  cultivation  and  fostering  of  that  finer  feeling 
of  the  South. 

Besides  what  the  city  gets  in  a good,  sub- 
stantial country  trade,  DeFuniak  Springs  and 
adjacent  points  ship  large  amounts  of  sawmill 
products,  naval  stores,  wool  and  farm  products, 
amounting  to  many  thousands  of  dollars. 

The  Pensacola  Journal’s  special  edition  for 
Walton  County  contains  a special  extract  from 
which  we  quote  the  following,  with  a feeling  of, 
we  hope,  pardonable  pride: 

“Walton  County  appears  on  the  map  only  as 
a subdivision,  like  other  counties  of  the  State 
of  Florida.  But  this  fertile  and  prosperous 
division  of  the  most  attractive  section  of  the 
commonwealth  is  really  an  empire,  with  room 
sufficient  and  resources  ample  to  support  half 
the  present  population  of  the  State. 


27 


A FIELD  OF  CORN  FOUR  MILES  FROM 
DE  FUNIAK  SPRINGS 

This  crop  yielded  115  bushels  per  acre.  We  produce 
corn  at  a cost  of  15  cents  per  bushel. 

“Walton  County  is  larger  than  Rhode  Island, 
with  a population  of  over  half  a million.  It  is 
almost  as  large  as  Delaware,  with  a population 
of  over  two  hundred  thousand.  It  is  half  as 
large  as  Porto  Rieo,  with  a population  of  one 
million.  It  is  one-seventh  as  large  as  the 
Netherlands  and,  on  the  basis  of  the  latter’s 
population,  with  a soil  as  productive  and  a 
longer  annual  crop-growing  period,  it  could 
support  a population  of  seven  hundred  and 
twenty  thousand  people. 

“There  is  scarcely  a crop  that  will  not  grow 
here,  and  the  climate  is  such  that  a crop  of 
some  kind  may  be  growing  during  every  month 
of  the  year.  Corn,  cane,  cotton,  hay,  legumes 
of  every  kind,  vines,  nuts,  fruits,  tubers,  vege- 
tables— almost  anything,  in  fact,  that  the  palate 
desires  or  the  markets  demand — may  be  success- 
fully cultivated  in  this  semi-tropic  land  of 
plenty. 

“Cattle,  sheep,  hogs  and  poultry  are  raised 
cheaper  and  more  profitably  than  in  either  the 
North  or  West.  It  is  a combination  of  soil  and 
climate  that  makes  these  things  possible. 

“But  while  Walton  County  is  rich  in  area,  in 
climate  and  in  soil  resources,  she  is  still  richer 
in  the  character  and  culture  of  her  people. 
There  is  probably  no  county  in  Florida  whose 
white  population  holds  such  high  rank  in  gen- 
eral education  and  in  school  and  church  advan- 
tages as  does  Walton.  Here  is  a people  of 
clean  morals,  of  cultivated  minds,  of  hospitable 
hearts — the  ideal  environment  for  the  home- 
maker who  would  rear  his  family  among  good 
neighbors  and  amidst  elevating  influences. 

“Walton  County’s  only  need  is  MORE 
PEOPLE.” — The  Pensacola  Journal. 


28 


A SECTION  OF  HARD  ROAD 

Walton  County  has  built  many  miles  of  hard  road  of  a 
mixture  of  clay  and  sand,  and  is  still  building. 

SPECIAL  TO  THE  INVESTOR. 

In  the  compilation  of  this  work  the  writer 
has  endeavored  not  to  give  any  statement  that 
could  be  construed  to  be  misleading,  but  on  the 
contrary  to  give  facts  upon  which  you  may  rely 
in  making  up  your  mind  whether  to  come  to 
Walton  County  or  to  go  elsewhere.  We  can  put 
the  proposition  much  stronger  and  without  ex- 
aggeration, but  we  wish  to  leave  a reasonable 
range  for  the  differences  of  opinion  and  still 
stay  within  the  limits  of  our  claims.  We  know 
that  DeFuniak  Springs  and  Walton  County 
offers  more  for  the  money,  in  lands,  health, 
climate,  soil,  variety  of  crops  and  plants  that 
can  be  successfully  grown,  in  the  raising  of 
hogs,  cattle,  sheep,  poultry  and  general  farming, 
etc.,  along  with  the  many  other  industries  and 
natural  resources,  than  almost  any  section  of  the 
United  States. 

Our  lands  are  cheap,  with  no  padded  prices 
for  advertising  or  colonizing.  Our  sales  direct 
from  the  owners,  in  large  or  small  tracts,  will 
actually  save  you  from  50  to  75  per  cent  of 
your  money,  and  in  most  cases  give  you  better 
lands.  We  have  no  large  swamps,  ponds  or 
marshes,  and  most  of  this  country  is  free  from 
mosquitoes  and  malaria.  We  have  an  abundant 
supply  of  the  purest  soft  water  everywhere. 
Our  natural  drainage  is  perfect. 


29 


The  county  will  average  200  feet  above  sea 
level,  reaching  close  to  300  feet  along  the  L.  & 
N.  R.  R.  Our  annual  rainfall  is  fifty  to  sixty 
inches,  well  distributed  throughout  the  year. 
Crop  failure  from  drought  has  never  been 
known,  and  we  grow  crops  every  month  in  the 
year.  The  winters  are  mild,  the  summers  better 
tlian  winters. 

We  offer  jmu  in  quantities,  qualities  and  prices 
to  suit  you,  real  genuine  bargains  in  timber 
lands,  cut-over  lands,  suitable  for  farming,  colon- 
izing or  grazing,  or  for  the  individual  home- 
seeker,  improved  or  unimproved  places.  Timber 
lands  suitable  for  turpentine  or  sawmill  busi- 
ness could  be  followed  by  farming,  etc.,  in  tracts 
from  1,000  to  100,000  acres  at  from  $6.00  to 
$15.00  per  acre,  depending  upon  the  amount  of 
timber  per  acre  and  grade  of  soil.  Some  better 
tracts  of  virgin  timber  run  from  $20.00  to  $30.00 
per  acre. 

A residence  lot  in  DeFuniak  Springs  will  cost 
from  $50  to  $1,000,  according  to  location.  A 
house  and  lot  proportionately  the  same. 

Furnished  rooms  and  houses  rent  at  from  $8 
to  $40  per  month. 

Good  board  and  rooms  are  furnished  in  the 
hotels  and  boarding  houses  at  from  $15  to  $40 
per  month. 

We  extend  to  you  a most  cordial  welcome  to 
DeFuniak  Springs  and  Walton  County.  Our 
sunshine  and  sea  breezes  are  worth  as  much  as 
the  price  asked  for  our  land.  Our  lands  are 
worth  $250.00  to  $500.00  per  acre  because  we 
can  produce  three  crops  each  year  with  as  great 
yield  per  acre  as  the  Northern  and  Western 
lands  that  cost  $50.00  to  $250.00  per  acre,  with 
a possibility  of  only  one  crop  in  twelve  months. 

We  sell  our  land  at  $5.00,  $10.00  or  $15.00 
per  acre,  free  from  all  incumbrance,  with  all 
the  advantages  outlined,  and  will  arrange  satis- 
factory terms  of  payment. 

All  inquiries  will  receive  prompt  attention  if 
addressed  to  the  real  estate  men  or  any  member 
of  the  Board  of  Trade.  Give  us  a portion  of 
your  time  this  fall  and  winter  and  let  us  show 
you  one  good  investment  such  as  we  refer  to, 
which  may  be  worth  many  times  the  cost.  Be- 
sides, you  will  enjoy  the  visit. 

We  will  be  glad  to  show  you  our  country, 
and  invite  you  to  come  see  it. 


30 


>- 


I:-'  ti  ■ 


f 


in 


/'  - 


45748 


FISHING 

BOATING 

HUNTING 

IDEAL 

CLIMATE 

BUMPER 

CROPS 

HEALTH 

WEALTH 

HAPPINESS 

ALL 

TO 

BE 

HAD 

IN 


DE  FUNIAK 
SPRINGS 

and 

Walton  County 

FLORIDA 


